Green Acres Milling Grower Network Principles

Our fields are green, not black!

Water retention and crop resilience in fields that have been no-till for years show remarkable differences from the shallow hard pan seen in fields with traditional tillage.

Regenerative farming aims for the "least amount of mechanical disturbance possible."

At a recent soil pit field day, we observed:   

- corn roots down to 48" +

- earthworm channels at 40" + deep

- minimal organic matter on the surface.

Most farmers know that planting the same crop year after year is risky- having  "all eggs in one basket"  with pests, weather, or disease issues that spread quickly in without biodiversity.

Monocultures prioritize efficiency over resilience so there is little margin for error in case something goes wrong, it also produces less nutrient density.  

Multi-species cover crops stimulate the soil microbial population to supply plants with the nutrients they need to reduce or eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers.

There is always something growing on the land we manage.

Before, or shortly after harvesting our main cash crops, oats, radishes, rye, or other cover crops are seeded so that there is always organic matter being generated. 

Building organic matter helps to sequester carbon and boost crop yields without increasing inputs by improving soil structure improving water infiltration and retention. 

Our crops are fed with a custom blend of local livestock manure to optimally balance the nitrogen, PH, and other bioflora in the soil naturally, without chemicals that accelerate the recovery of depleted soils.

Grazing cropland increases microbial density and organic matter due to the addition of manure, lightly integrated into the soil as the animals forage. 

Livestock can also help with arable weed control. 

Integrating animals through grazing also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and herbicides while decreasing air and water pollution from inefficient manure management. 

Growing crops in harmony with nature is a priority, and it is possible to maximize crop yields and improve soil health for generations to come. 

The Green Acres Milling grower network continuously evolves and improves our practices and efficiency through education, experimentation, diversity of perspective, curiosity, and data sharing. 

Welcome to sustainable, profitable agriculture.